The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 6 Part 9
While he was focused on her body, Anais’s heart had been unable to trust him. No matter how many times their bodies connected, only he found satisfaction, unable to convince her that she was loved by him.
“I love you, Anais. I’m sorry for being clumsy. I’m sorry for realizing my feelings late… for being stupid when I could have made our engagement and wedding happy… for messing up your first kiss even though you gave me a chance. I’m sorry for everything.”
Still, shamelessly, Rahil was happy that he was Anais’s first. It also made him happy that Anais was his first kiss.
Anais’s heartbeat had calmed down, suggesting she was more composed than before. Rahil lifted his head from her shoulder, feeling a sense of relief. Even though he didn’t want to leave her, he knew it would be selfish to stay.
“I’ll go out. You’re the owner of this room. It’s only right that I leave. I’ll make up some excuse to the maids.”
She felt him loosening his embrace and sensed him turning away reluctantly. They were close enough that such subtle gestures were noticeable.
Anais looked back at him. Rahil flinched, surprised, as he didn’t expect her to look at him until he had left the room. Since the distance wasn’t great, Rahil hesitated when Anais, seeming uncertain, looked at him.
“Why… why?”
“……”
Should I let him go or not?
Her tears had already stopped. Even though she felt miserable knowing he had deceived her, his recent apology had softened her feelings.
If he had been dressed, she might have grabbed his sleeve. But since he was in the middle of the room with nothing on, she would have to hold his arm…
“What’s wrong, Anais? Do you need something?”
The naked man bent down to match her eye level and asked. His indifference to his nakedness was very Rahil-like.
“…I don’t want to sleep alone. But we’re not doing anything tonight.”
Rahil’s eyes widened at Anais’s words, his expression one of shock as if struck by lightning.
“Oh… oh, should I sleep on the sofa over there?”
When Anais, already on the bed, patted the spot next to her, Rahil looked as if he’d been struck in the heart. Just to be sure, he asked her again.
“O-On the bed? Is that really okay?”
“…”
Anais didn’t respond and pulled the blanket over her head. Taking this as a yes, Rahil quickly got into the bed. He thought he wouldn’t be a man if he missed this opportunity.
“Um, well… I don’t have any clothes on.”
He meant to say he wanted to share the blanket with her, but Rahil felt his heart tighten at the thought that Anais might glare at him. His robe was still on the floor, so he didn’t expect her to tell him to pick it up and wear it before getting into bed.
“…Greedy Jerk.”
Anais, who had her back turned and was covered with the blanket, turned around and opened the blanket slightly. Rahil’s face turned bright red with joy as he slipped under the blanket.
Even though he braced himself for a scolding, Rahil went ahead and hugged Anais. She did not push him away. Rahil felt so happy he thought he might faint.
“I really love you, Anais.”
Anais didn’t respond, but she thought that if those words were a lie, she wouldn’t let him get away with it.
* * *
As usual, Sion was handing over some documents when he noticed Rahil grinning from ear to ear, which made him feel uneasy. While it was generally good for his superior to be in a good mood, Rahil’s smile seemed disturbingly smug.
‘Is it because he spent the night with Her Majesty the Empress again?’
Sion thought that even if Rahil had shared a bed with Anais, it probably hadn’t moved her heart.
Many people expect that living together and sharing intimate moments will improve their relationship, but in most cases, it’s merely an adaptation to the situation rather than a genuine fondness for their spouse.
Especially since the Empress, with her proud roots from the Ruol family, was unlikely to be swayed by physical intimacy. There would need to be other convincing reasons.
And now since Rahil began to give him a look, clearly wanting him to ask, so Sion obliged.
“Did something good happen? You seem quite pleased.”
“You can tell?”
Rahil, who had been grinning, began to talk as if he had been waiting for this moment. Sion was shocked to hear that Rahil had been caught using a contraceptive magical artifact to deceive the Empress. Fortunately, the story ended with how his relationship with Anais had almost fallen apart but eventually led to reconciliation.
“I see. Congratulations on getting out of that unscathed.”
“Your words make me sound like a real villain.”
Although Rahil grumbled, he seemed too happy to be bothered by Sion’s remark. While it was fortunate that the Empress had forgiven him for the deceit, Rahil’s delight seemed excessive, prompting Sion to add a word of caution.
“You’re just at the starting line now.”
“What do you mean, starting line?”
“Well, doesn’t it mean that the Empress dislikes you less now? So, it’s just the beginning.”
Sion’s response left Rahil speechless. He had mistakenly believed that his relationship with Anais had significantly improved because of the previous night.
“Do you really think that incident would make the Empress like you? You did deceive her, after all.”
“…”
Rahil, who had been unintentionally relying on Anais’s kindness, was once again disheartened. Seeing this, Sion inwardly smiled and added,
“Her Majesty is a deeply compassionate person. Your relationship with her will improve soon.”
Rahil wanted to insist that things were already good, but he knew the truth. Their relationship was built on him hanging on to her.
“Y-yeah.”
As Rahil took the documents from Sion while clicking his tongue. Sion thought that, for now, things were going smoothly.
* * *
